My mom, a dog, and an oyster

We all need something light to read about now, so here’s an entertaining animal story for you involving my mom.

Have you ever been around a begging dog? Gosh, they can be
annoying can’t they.

One evening my mom,
Gladys MARTIN HEISER (1921-1999) was in the kitchen frying oysters. Tinker,
our cocker beagle, was pestering mom for a tidbit. Mom tossed a little bit of
raw oyster to Tinker hoping the dog would go lay down after having a little
snack.

Tinker was a good
catch, and the oyster landed directly in her mouth. She started on it like
it was steak, but a moment later she was spitting it out of her mouth like it
was sour grapefruit. She looked at it completely bewildered and walked away,
looking back at the raw oyster a few times as she went.

Mom had an idea. She
picked up the rejected piece of oyster and put in on a paper towel on the
counter. Sure enough, Tinker came begging again a short time later. Mom
tossed that same piece of oyster to Tinker. This time the oyster hit Tinker’s tongue
and then hit the floor. She stuck her tongue in and out like she was trying to
rid herself of the nasty taste. She walked away in disgust. Mom picked up the
oyster once more.

Tinker, who didn’t like having her picture taken

Well, that crazy dog
came back and begged a third time! Mom tossed the same oyster to Tinker
piece again. This time Tinker had a sixth sense about what was coming. She
watched as the oyster piece flew through the air and landed on the floor in
front of her. She looked down at it and then looked at my mom. Tinker was
clearly unimpressed with mom’s offering. My mom asked Tinker what was wrong? Tinker
just walked away, and she didn’t beg again that evening.

Of course, she was back begging at breakfast!

I bet you have a fun or sweet animal story to tell, too. Go for it in a comment.